Write up for Practical File

AIMOF THE EXPERIMENT

Tostudythe dependenceof potential difference(V)
acrog a resistor on the current (I) passing through it
goddetermineits resistance.Also plot a graph betweenV and I.
APARATUS ANDMATERIALS REQUIRED
A resistorof about 2—5Q, an ammeter (range : 0—3A), a voltmeter (range :
0—10V), battery or battery eliminator, a
key, connecting wires and sand paper.
plug
THEORY
Thepotential difference (V) across the ends ofa conductor is directlyproportional to the current (I) passing through
it.vovidea' temperature remains the same. Thus,
V=RI
where R is a constant for the given resistor at a given temperature and is called resistance. Thus,

1
The S.I. units of potential difference is volt (V), current is ampere (A) and resistance is Ohm (Q).
B = Battery
K = Plug key
Rh = Rheostat
R Resistor
V = Voltmeter
A = Ammeter

Fig. 1.11.Circuit diagram for verificationofObm's law

A graph between the potential difference across the two ends of a conductor and the current passing through it is a
might line passing through the origin.
PROCEDURE
1. Note the least count and range of the given ammeterand voltmeter.Preferably.remove zero enor, if any,
otherwisenote down the zero error.
2. Cleanthe terminals of the connectingwires.
3. Draw a circuit diagram in your note book as shown in the figurel.ll.
4. Connectthecomponents in the circuitasshownin thecircuitdiagramwhilekeepingthekeyopen.The voltrneter
is connected across the given resistor and the ammeter is in series with it. Component lay-out for the experiment
is shown in Figure 1.12.
S. Check the polarity oftheammeterand volü•neterin relation to the battery polarity. The red terminalsofammeter
and voltrnetershould be connectedto positive pole of the batterywhile the black terrninalsof ammeter and
voltmeter are connected to the negative pole of the battery.Get the circuit set up by you checked by the teacher
before inserting the key into the plug.
6• Slidetherheostatcontactto includemaximumresistancein the circuit and close the key. Ammeter and voltmeter
readings will be minimum in this position. Move the slider of the rheostat to the other end so that resistance in the
circuitis minimum.In this case the ammeterand voltmeterreadingsshould be nearly 75% of the filll scale. If
not, either change the meters or the battery eliminator,'battery. Remove the key from the plug to avoid
unnecessaryheating of wires.
7• Now start taking of the observationsslide back the rheostat for minimumreading in the ammeter (say 0-2 A).
Note the current (I) and voltage (V). Adjust the rheostat to increase current in small steps and note the V and
I
readings in each case. Continue till you reach the maximum possible current in the circuit.
 Draw a graph bctwccn V and I choosing proper scales (V on x— axis and
I on y-axis). Extend the straightlineof
8.
paper.
the graph backwards to check whether it mccts the origin of the graph
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
I. Compare the value of resistance, R of the given resistor obtained from calculation (as given in the
observation table) and obtained from the graph.
2. The value of resistance R of the resistor for all values of current through it remains the same (or almost
same).
3. The graph between V and I is a straight line which passes through the origin.
This verifiesthe Ohm's law.

Specimen Observations and Calculations

Range of voltneter = 0 5 V
Number of divisions in voltrneter = 50
(5-0)V
Least count of voltmeter, m =o.1V
50
Zero error of voltmeter = OV
Zero correctionof voltmeter
Range of ammeter = 0 3 A
Number of divisions in ammeter = 30
 Least count of ammctcr. n
— -0-1 A
30
Zero error of ammeter = O A
Zero correction of ammeter = O A
Potential difference, V Current, I Resistance,
s.No. Voltmeter Ammeter
Observed Corrected Observed Corrected
rending reading
x (div.) Y (div.)
O•4V
4 div. 2 div. 0-4 V 0-4 V 0-2A 0-2 A

o•8V
8 div. 4 div. o•8V R =Fü=2Q

1•2V
12 div. 6 div. 10v O•6A O•6A
o•6A

1•6V
16 div. 8 div. 1-6v o•8V O•8A O•8A

Mean value of resistance, R 2+2+ 2)Q = 2 Q

Scale:
Along x —axis :
1 small scale division
= 0•02 A
Along y-axis :
I small scale division
= 004 v

> 0.4

0.6
I (ampere)
Fig. V-Igraph ofthe conductor

Resistance,R (16-04)v lov

Al (08-02) o•6A